POLICE officers are investigating whether £75,000 worth of clothes taken from a trailer on an industrial estate may have been stolen to order.The gang removed about 39,000 items of clothing from a trailer at an industrial estate on Gipping Road, between Great Blakenham and Claydon, near Ipswich.

POLICE officers are investigating whether £75,000 worth of clothes taken from a trailer on an industrial estate may have been stolen to order.

The gang removed about 39,000 items of clothing from a trailer at an industrial estate on Gipping Road, between Great Blakenham and Claydon, near Ipswich.

The thieves used a lorry with false number plates to tow the trailer out of the secure industrial estate at about 7.40pm on Tuesday evening.

The clothes, on about 24 pallets, include tops, fleece jackets, t-shirts, and were destined for companies who would then print their own logos on the clothing.

Ted Buckland, of Ted Bucklands Haulage, is the owner of the trailer and he believes it was a professionally executed robbery.

He said last night: “It was a professional job and I should think the clothes are out of the area by now.

“They were all colours, all different items that go to companies to put their logos on, and had a label with 'Mantis' on the neck.

“The industrial estate was covered by CCTV, we have footage, but they used false number plates.

“They hitched the trailer onto their lorry and took the whole lot. A lot seems to be taken from the Ipswich area lately.

“We are insured and at least no-one was hurt, at the end of the day it is just the money. But it's so frustrating.''

Mike Nunn, a Suffolk Constabulary spokesman, said: “We are investigating the possibility that the clothes were stolen to order.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information relating to the offence.

“Anyone who is offered the chance to buy industrial style clothing in suspicious circumstances should also contact the police as a matter of priority.''

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact Pc Craig Powell on 01284 774100 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.